Our latest Blues in the Community update highlights the involvement of Pompey players and staff in the local area over the past few weeks.
You might have been under the impression that Pompey have been celebrating during the past few weeks – and you would be right.
But that does not mean that the goodwill is not also being spread throughout the community as we head into the summer break.
Club ambassador Alan Knight went to Leigh Park to meet Eric ‘Pony’ Moore, who was celebrating his 108th birthday.
Surely the club’s oldest living fan, he has two daughters, four grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter. Born in 1916, he has lived through the reigns of five monarchs – starting with George V
When Knightsie made his debut as a 16-year-old at Rotherham, ‘Pony’ was already edging towards retirement and our former keeper said: “Eric is incredible for his age – absolutely sensational.”
Before the campaign drew to a close, head coach John Mousinho and sporting director Rich Hughes met with the Central Branch Supporters’ Club in the Legends Lounge at Fratton Park. Joe Morrell also made a surprise appearance to thank the group for sponsoring him over the past couple of seasons.
Meanwhile, Conor Shaughnessy and Tino Anjorin visited the Chichester Supporters’ Club, while chief executive Andy Cullen and academy manager Greg Miller made the trip across the water to Ryde to meet with the Isle of Wight Supporters’ Club.
The final Tony Goodall Fans’ Conference of the season also took place last month, with Cullen and Hughes joined by director Eric Eisner, chief operating officer Tony Brown and director of sales Mark Judges in the Pompey Study Centre.
April also saw Owen Moxon and Tom McIntyre surprise those taking part in Pompey in the Community’s Easter holiday courses.
Colby Bishop, Ryan Schofield, Jack Sparkes and Ryley Towler went to the Ship Anson pub to pose for photos and play darts with the staff.
Members of the first team squad and staff have also been meeting some of our club partners, with Mousinho touring the new Matrix IT facilities.
Skipper Marlon Pack took Morrell and Shaughnessy on a tour of Portsmouth with SG Fleet, while Terry Devlin cut the ribbon to officially open the Lalys Pharmacy on London Road.
At the start of the season, our academy scholars selected Sophie’s Legacy as a charity they wished to support and as part of this, they took part in a 10k run on Southsea seafront.
The young footballers also made a trip to QA Hospital to deliver pizzas as part of a weekly initiative that ensures families are well fed while their children are receiving treatment, having already handed out advent calendars over Christmas.
Pompey’s good work off the pitch was recognised at the EFL Awards, with Pack winning the Player in the Community trophy for League One.
Congratulations should also go to Christian Saydee, who was selected as the club’s PFA ‘Community Champion’.
